Weird Google Pixel Image bug

Some Google Pixel and Pixel XL users are reporting a specific bug around images on Google Forums since the past few weeks. According to various reports by users, anyone using Google Pixel or Google Pixel XL is receiving distorted images whenever the images are sent using an Apple iPhone 7 Plus.

Oddly enough, these problems are limited to this particular usage case regardless of the app or message through third party service or SMS. The problem can’t be reversed as the images sent from Google Pixel or Pixel XL to Apple iPhone 7 Plus appear as they should without the artefacts or problems.

People that have done some limited amount of investigation have pointed out that the bug appears to be in the way the new Android Nougat 7.1 handles image files. However, one user claims that the problem is fixed if the users use third party SMS apps but the claims could not be verified.

The images seem fine when sent to devices running old Android Nougat 7.0 like the Nexus 6 as reported by Android Police. Another weird thing to note is that distortion only happens when the screenshots are taken inside any app in iPhone, regardless of being first party or third party. This error/distortion does not appear when the screenshots are taken on the home screen of iPhone.

There is no official statement from the Google Support staff on the forums at the time of writing. We will have to wait for any kind of response before expecting any commitment about the timeline to fix the bug. Switching to other carriers has replicated the bug without any changes as reported by users. The last update to the forum indicates that the issue might have been fixed in Android Nougat 7.1.1 on Nexus 5X but there is no confirmation from Google Pixel of Pixel XL users.